In the beginning, there was Genesis.

Genesis 15

1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

I live a life of worry and fear. I think most of us do. We do not live like we are striving for the one goal of Jesus, pushing hard that we may love Him and reach Him and WIN Him. We do not see Him, His very essence, as a reward. We take Him so very for granted. He protects. He is not just a trophy to put on our shelves. He is not our name in a book of world records. He is no momentary fame. He is forever. He is EXCEEDINGLY great, surpassing the feeling of victory we have over our minuscule every day battles. He is the champion of all eternity. He is what is at the finish line of our every moment. He is what we get when we die to ourselves. We get the definition of love as our prize.

Genesis 29

20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

I love this!!!! We always are so scared that when we do things God's way they will be torturous and hard and terrible. BUT I think when we truly sit in God's purpose for our love lives, or our families- even if the right thing is the crazy thing, and is totally unconventional- that we will labor in complete joy. Our service will seems like a blessing and an honor. Seven years- pshh! I love God, I delight in this. On a romantic note, I wish more of us had the heart of God. If a boy does not confess his love for a girl in a timely fashion, we will move on to someone who is more willing to comfort our insecurities and reaffirm that we are beautiful. Sad, very sad. I long for the heart that feels this way about God, even when I have to sweat and wait and wonder for the thing I want the most.